Nope. It’s not just you: we’re living in one of the most stressful era. That’s why you need a solid self-care routine to keep your you-know-what together. And if you already have one, you might have to shake it up a little because when you start going through your rituals and routines mindlessly, you lose the most vital aspect of any wellness practice: paying attention to your body.
For me, this means writing down a to-do list before retiring to bed every night (it grounds me). For others, it might be finding a new workout routine to keep their anxieties at bay or something as simple as drinking a glass of red wine every evening for relief. It’s basically anything that gives you life rather than sucking the life out of you.
And we’re all entitled to having different and unique rituals. What might work for your tribe might not work for you. And that’s OK – the key here is to live in alignment with your needs and show up every day as your best self.
So, with that, here are 20 little rituals to start weaving into your wellness practices – add them to your planner and commit to actualizing them for a happy, healthy, and successful 2023.
Write Your To-Dos At The End Of The Day
Have you ever been around people who effortlessly record everything they’re supposed o do in their brains? Like what? Are you an alien hiding among us humans because wtf? And what other facts and figures are you storing in there?
The only thing most of us can memorize is early 2000s Pop music. That’s why do-to lists are our jams; without them, some of us would be living like cave dwellers. They help us plan our thoughts and organize ourselves for a productive day. Ticking them out is just an added bonus.
So, before getting into bed, make sure you write down your tomorrow’s to-do list for a smooth and less stressful day.
Write Down Your Three Pages!
You wrote your to-do list last night. Now it’s time to write your three pages – a concept popularized by The Artists Way – and it helps clear your mind of any anxieties and potential stressors before you kickstart your day.
You pour it all out on these pages – the good, the bad, and the ugly. And you don’t have to worry about sounding smart. You don’t need to write sentences that make grammatical sense, and you don’t have to censor yourself.
Just write, write, write.
And if you’re uncomfortable with having a record of your writing, you can burn the pages after you’re done. The purpose of the practice is to get all thoughts down and start the day with a fresh mind.
Meditation, 10-Minute Yoga Sessions, Or Prayer
Forget the old wives tale that staying out in the cold exposes you to pneumonia – it’s a lie. Spending time outdoors doing your yoga moves or meditation exercises is good for your health and helps you unwind. The breeze actually plays a role in sweeping your worries and anxieties away.
Or you could sit in your room and say a one-minute prayer. It’ll make you feel better and pump you up for the day! It does for me.
Be One With Nature At Least Twice A Week
Being in nature – especially in motion – enhances mood, sharpens thinking, shoots up energy levels, and makes you feel calmer and more in tune with your individuality. So, purpose to experience nature by either hiking, sitting on a park bench or running at the beach. It’ll make a difference in your life in 2023.
Set Clear Boundaries
Another ritual you need to adopt this year is setting clear boundaries. You need to give yourself permission to say ‘No!’ in 2023 – to plans that don’t match your energy, people who no longer fit into your life, anything just about anything that does not match your current mindset and energy.
It’s easy to fall into a pattern of overextending yourself, only to feel run down or resentful. Creating limits for yourself and others and consistently maintaining them sets the stage for a happier relationship, which significantly impacts the quality of your life.
Indulge Your Taste Buds With More Chocolate & More Wine
When it comes to emotions, trust your gut. This is because a happy gut equals a happy and healthy you. And while many people will look at you sideways for eating a piece of chocolate every day, this delectable contains compounds that help reduce the stress hormone cortisol, meaning your energy will be off the roof.
Red wine has flavonoids – resveratrol – that have a calming effect and does wonders for your skin!
Create A Bucket List Or Mood Board
If you haven’t set your yearly mood board yet, babe, are you okay? Mood boards are the blueprints to success or achieving everything you want at a certain period. They give you something to look forward to, even though it’s just a pair of shoes, which is another way of making you happier.
Plus, how satisfying is it to check off your mood board or bucket list?
Music Drowns Out Negativity
A recent study revealed that people shift their moods to match the ones they’re listening to.
So, why not get into the ritual of cuing up the workout playlist when you want to rack up a sweat and don’t have the energy to? Or the homework vibes for days when you want to be uninterruptedly productive?
You can even listen to a good mood-pumping podcast to help you fold your laundry.
Fill Up A Mason Jar With Your Favorite Mantras And Affirmations
One of the easiest ways to get into the daily habit of using affirmations is by coming up with several aspirational quotes and dropping them into a mason jar. Then every day, after doing your skincare routine and brewing coffee, pick one quote – this will be your guiding light throughout the day.
Doing this ritual daily will help you get into the right mindset and make a real change in your life.
Buy Yourself Flowers, Babe!
Another ritual you should adopt this year is to buy yourself bouquets. Visit your nearest farmer’s market or florist and pick the most beautiful bunch to help brighten your house and your week.
Have Some Zero-Phone Time & Zone Out
This rritual needs no introduction. You need to put the phone down, Claire! 30 minutes of zero screens won’t hurt you. In fact, it’ll give you time to meditate and come up with the next billion-dollar idea.
Light Up That Salt & Caramel Candle, Or Pour Some Aromatherapy Goodness
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, make it your wellness ritual to light up a scented candle for a mood boost. According to studies lighting a candle or simply pouring some essential oils into your diffuser can help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and allow for better sleep.
Citrus scents wake you up, lavender soothes, vanilla and salted caramel add a touch of warmth and comfort, and chamomile lulls.
Romanticize Your Evening Routine
Rather than speed through a two-minute shower, find time to soak in your bathtub uninterrupted. And don’t forget to bring in your mimosa-infused candles, self-love playlist, a glass of Merlot, or bubbles for a total escape.
And when going to sleep, make it your ritual to apply your favorite calming essential oil to your wrist and breathe in the scent for the most relaxing sleep of your life!
Take Yourself Out On Weekly Dates
This might seem like a lonely ritual, but it’s one of the best ways to show yourself some love. You can choose to go to your favorite restaurant, go on that trip you’ve been planning on since the beginning of time, or even cook yourself a delicious meal. It’s all in the little details. The focus needs to be on doing something you want to do and one that makes you happy.
Drink A Glass Of Lemon Water
A glass of lemon water every morning with help freshen your breath, shake off the residual sluggishness and inject a healthy dose of vitamins into your body. What a way to start off your day!
Get 10-Minutes Of Sunshine Every Weekend
When you don’t have any obligations or need some warmth, get outside and let the sun love on you. You’ll get some vitamin D in the mix and feel warm enough to tackle those house chores like a bawse.
Give 20-Second Hugs, When You Can
Giving and receiving hugs stimulates chemical signals linked to pleasure and social bonding. Not to mention makes you feel loved and weirdly chilled out. It’s literally the free ritual version of an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
When You Need Some Love, Connect With Your Tribe
When you’re feeling low, connecting with your tribe can work mood-lifting miracles. Feeling connected to others is healthy for every human being.
This is because when it’s just you, your mind tends to go to what’s not going right in your life or what you need to get down – pay the car insurance, hit project deadlines, why the mans hasn’t called you all day, it goes into a rabbit hole.
But when you’re surrounded by good vibes and love, you feel a little less stressed, and it’s also healing.
Apply Lotion And Skincare Products Mindfully
Who doesn’t love a good face mask? Not us. It’s the perfect excuse to chill, catch up with episodes of The White Lotus and take thousands of selfies. Plus, it leaves your skin feeling revitalized. That’s a win in our books.
Applying your favorite moisturizer mindfully, on the other hand, works wonders for your mood and morale. It’s like applying a protective charm of positive and soothing energy that’ll help protect you from the outside elements.
Give Back
The ritual of giving back gives you purpose. It raises your self-esteem, lowers loneliness, and elevates your mood. One study of individuals with anxiety found that those who did something small for their community or donated some tins to a food bank felt less anxious about social situations than those who didn’t.
